October 27, 2010

Sheriff Tom Dart won't run for Chicago mayor

Posted by John Chase and Kristen Mack at 10:44 a.m.; last updated at 4:23 p.m.

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, who is seeking re-election next week, said today he will not run for Chicago mayor next February.

Standing outside the jail he has overseen since 2007, Dart said he has struggled with the decision since Mayor Richard Daley announced last month that he would not seek another term.

"I couldn't do both," Dart said of running for mayor and being a father and husband. "It wasn't the appropriate thing for me just to take my time."

"For supporters of mine, I was being less than honest," he said.

Like several other politicians, the Democratic sheriff has had to juggle that calculation with the need to run for re-election on the Nov. 2 ballot. Dart supporters were laying the groundwork for a mayoral bid and he was ratcheting up his public appearances in recent weeks to keep his name out there while more certain mayoral candidates gained the spotlight.

"I have found it impossible for it to be compatible between running for mayor and being a father and husband," Dart said at the news conference.

"I'm disappointing people, but at the end of the day I have to look myself in the mirror," he said of those who wanted him to run for mayor.

Dart said no back channel overtures were made by other candidates to encourage him to get out of the race. "I haven't spoken to any other candidates at all," he said, with the exception of U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez calling him after the congressman announced he wasn't running.

Dart said he did not call any of the other candidates and said he has "no intention" of doing so.

Dart's announcement comes just days before he is up for re-election against Republican Frederick Collins. A former state representative from the South Side, Dart has strong ties to the 19th Ward organization, including the former sheriff, Michael Sheahan.

Dart is the latest in a lengthy list of big-name politicians to consider but then back away from a run for mayor. But former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, former Chicago school board chief Gery Chico and city Clerk Miguel Del Valle are in so far.

In recent days, U.S. Reps. Jesse Jackson Jr., Luis Gutierrez and Mike Quigley have all ended their consideration of a mayoral bid, as have former Ald. Manny Flores and Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer.

Reactions started to roll in this afternoon following Dart's announcement.

Emanuel said Dart is a "good man. He's clearly invested in his job, this city and his family."

"The dynamics obviously change when someone of Tom Dart's quality and capacity gets out. That has an impact," Emanuel said, adding that he would leave the political interpretation to experts.

"You have an evaluation of what drives you, what motivates you personally and professionally. You gotta respect him," Emanuel said of any individual considering a run for public office.

"He took a gut check of that decision. Tom Dart does not get scared," out of a race, Emanuel said.

"Nobody is going to hand you this election but the voters," Emanuel said.

He said neither he nor anyone in his campaign talked to Dart about whether he would run. Said he called Dart this afternoon and left him a voice mail.

City Clerk Miguel del Valle, a mayoral candidate, issued a statement.

"I am grateful for his contributions to our great city and look forward to working hard to garner his support and endorsement," del Valle said.

"Sheriff Dart has always put public service ahead of political ambition. I wish Tom well as he continues his good work to fight crime in Cook County. I have always believed that protecting our citizens is the number one priority of government. As I have in the past, I will seek Sheriff Dart's advice and counsel on keeping Chicago safe," Chico said.

Comments

So the way this is shaping up, we're not going to have a viable alternative to Rahm Emmanuel for mayor?? I can't imagine that Chico and del Valle could mount competitive campaigns against RE. That's really disappointing. I can't believe that Emmanuel can just announce that he wants to be mayor of Chicago, swoop back into town and basically take the job like it's some kind of reward. Disgusting. And I was actually excited about the prospect of Tom Dart as mayor.

here we go again with machine politics clearing the field for some corporate democrat or corporate republican who will manipulate the public into thinking you can have free trade with a communist country like china (someone please tell me how you can have free trade with a communist country)

better yet, whomever runs will tell the public why it makes sense to sell money producing assets for a short term gain and have the money what use to stay in illinois now go to other states and countries - better yet, the management and enforcement of these fees will be burdened by the taxpayer.

I am so disappointed, but also understand why he's not running. The city is a mess and one person can't fix it. Being mayor of Chicago is like the presidency, a thankless job that will be denigrated by special interest groups on a daily basis, mostly the idiots of the City Council who are the biggest special interest group in Chicago. Pathetic. Maybe it will take an SOB like Rahm to withstand all of the crap.

Best news of the day. he has exceeded his authority by refusing to proceed with foreclosures. His office conducted a botched drug raid of an elderly couples' house . we do not need an out of control person who is a law unto himself, as mayor of chicago.

This is more proof of the behind-the-scenes maneuverings that are now happening to pave the way for Rahm Emanuel's Chicago mayoral candidacy. Jesse Jackson Jr. won't run, and now neither will Dart.

It's amazing that the computer keyboard jockeys who post bombastic comments bashing Emanuel chances really have no conception of how the game is really played, and that Rahm and his campaign team are moving and maneuvering faster than most of these smug armchair detractors can even begin to comprehend.

I suspect only the mentally deficient will run for mayor as it is a suicide run after Daley had pillaged the city for all the money it has and left it broke for the next decade at the very least. The smart ones will not risk that. Don't know what Rahm is thinking.

This is a great disappointment. I can't stand Gery Chico based on personal experiences. And I cannot stomach Rahm Emanuel from afar. I'd better brush up on my information about Del Valle ... or BEG Dart to change his mind.

Dang, the Tribune could write another 4 billion such articles as Jean Debois of Paris, France denies that he will run for Chicago mayor. Ooma, the Masai warrior in Tanzania, has also announced that he will not run for Chicago mayor. Democrat corruption is worse than lions threatening his herd of cows.

I'm stunned. He was fast becoming my first choice for mayor. But everything he stated makes sense and, you know, you have to admire an already-public figure who really seems to be sensible, balanced, FOR the people by his word AND deed, weighs his options and, in the end, does what's right for himself and his family.

All 50 aldermen on the Chicago City Council had to file paperwork earlier this year detailing their outside income and gifts. The Tribune took that ethics paperwork and posted the information here for you to see. You can search by ward number or alderman's last name.

The Cook County Assessor's office has put together lists of projected median property tax bills for all suburban towns and city neighborhoods. We've posted them for you to get a look at who's paying more and who's paying less.

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